Rotary forging machine



Feb. 29, 1944. T. E. BROWN 2,342,917

ROTARY FORGING MACHINE Filed June 6, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 29, 1944. r. E. BROWN ROTARY FORGING MACHINE 5 sheets-smet 2 Filed June 6, 1942 Feb. 29, 1944. T, E., BROWN 2,342,917

JEH/w? fw" Feb. 29, 1944. i v1, E, BROWN ROTARY FORGING MACHINE Filed June 6. 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Feb. 29, 1944 i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY FORGING MACHINE Thomas E. Brown, oak Park, 111., assignor to Universal Forging Co., Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application June, 1942, Serial No. 446,077

10 Claims. (C12Q- 1.22)

This invention relates to a nvel and unique rotary forging machine.

One of the essential objects of this invention is to provide a forging machine having rotary members which are shaped and arranged for forming rounded articles, as for example bullets, v

and articles of similar 'shapes useful either for military or for civil purposes; to so asr to accom-- plish the rapid production of such articlesy With this machine. v

Another object of this invention is te yprovide a novel forging machine comprising forming rollers which are arranged to take the metal in the shape of a rod or bar between them and by rotating thereon speedily manufacture such articles.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a type of forging machine which comprises forming rollers for shaping the article, and whichfurther comprises a'coacting die for providing a smooth finish or a sharp point on such article; whereby the iinished point, andl of a selected shape, can be produced on the article without any additional nishing or polishin'gthereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary forging machine whereby a plurality of the desired articles can be formed at a time, by each operative step of the machine, so as to greatly enhance the productive capacity of .such machine.

These and various other objects A and purposes and advantages are attained with this invention, as will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the invention is :shown in its preferred form of construction and ,in two arrangementavfor forming a single article and also for forming a plurality of articles byeach operative movement of the machine, it being evident that other arrangements and forms may be resorted to for carrying out the objects and purposes of this invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing this invention in its preferred form and arrangement.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view longitudinally of the machine, taken on line 2&2 of Fig. 1.V

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of this ma` chine.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view, taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, longitudinally thru the-forming rollers. v

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the rollers, takenon 'line 55 of Fig. 2, showing the rollers in their operation with the article finished and about to descend.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional View similar to Fig. 5, but showing the rollers in a more advanced position, with the finished article partly descended and about to drop away from the rollers.

Figs. 7 and 8 are detail vviews of the die means used in conjunction with these rollers for finishing a sharp nose on the bullet made by this machine.

Fig. 9 is partly an end view and partly a sectional vview of the die, taken von lline ll-S of l Fig. 8.

Fig. l0 is a cross-sectional View thru the rollers, taken on line Ill-IIJ of Fig. 4.

Fig. 1l is an enlarged cross-sectional view, taken on line Il-I I4 of Fig. 2, showing ausuitablel form of gear drive `for the rollers of this machine. u

Fig. 12 ,is an enlarged cross-sectional "View, taken on line |2-l2 of Fig. 2, showing the .die

v supported by the rollers. v

As illustrated in the drawings. the machiner provided by my invention Iis arranged for shaping articles, such as bullets and similarly shaped rounded articles, by the action of cooperating rotary forming members which are arranged or vprovided with means,on their eXteriors of such or rollers; and such a machine has been shown in Fig. 14 arranged for forming two articles by each rotation of the forming members or each full cycle of operationv of the machine. It is thus apparent that the forming members may likewise be arranged sothat a greater number of articles can be formed by each rotation of said members.

In Figs. 1 to 13 of the drawings this invention is illustrated in its preferred form, and it ccmprises a supporting frame l5 having legs i8 for mounting and supporting the machine ona suitl able base, as indicated. Said frame includes supporting shoulders I1, I8 and I9, adapted for supporting the forming members, which ,have caps or top members 2|, 22 and 23 thereon, respectively, being secured upon said shoulders by bolts or the like. A bearing, for instance a split bearing including parts 24 and 25, is mounted between said shoulder I8 and its cap 22; and a similar bearing including parts 26 and 21 is mounted between the shoulder I9 and its cap 23; while a driving gear 28 is provided with a short shaft or stud 29 which is journaled with a bushing 30 between said shoulder |1 and its cap 2|, substantially as illustrated herein.

The rotary members are herein shown in the form of rollers, three rollers 3|, 32 and 33 being shown in this machine, and they are mounted to rotate in said bearing parts 24, 25, 26, and 21; and the said rollers are shown as having their longitudinal axes arranged parallel; but they may also be arranged and mounted otherwise if the conditions are better served thereby.

Each one of these rollers has at one end a head 34 and a reduced neck 35 inward thereof, and on these necks are seated segmental plates or shims 36 which are secured to the parts 26 and 21 on the machine, by suitable screws or the like, as best shown in Fig. 3. Each roller is provided at its other end with gear means or teeth 31 in mesh with the teeth of a gear 38, which is herein shown in the form of a ring gear having its teeth placed internally thereon and being mounted by a tight or driving fit in a collar 39 which is fixed on the driving gear 28, whereby to rotate the rollers. Said ring gear 38 may also be keyed to the collar 39, in securing it therein.

The means provided for driving the gear 28 of this machine illustrated herein comprises a speed reducing gearing connecting said gear with a power-supplying member, the same being illustrated herein as comprising a pinion 4I fixed on a shaft 42 which is journaled in bearing means 43 and 44 provided on frame l5. A worm-gear 45 is fixed on the end of said shaft 42 and is driven by a worm 46 provided on a shaft 41 which is journaled in bearing means 48 mounted on said frame. This shaft 41 is driven by a motor 48. or other suitable power supplying means.

The rotary members of this form of machine, which are shown in the shape of rollers 3|, 32 and 33, are provided with article-forming means thereon; and, as best shown in Figs. and 6, this means includes article-forming portions 5|, 52 and 53, provided on the exteriors of said rollers, respectively, and said portions are cam-shaped or of increasing radius in a direction circumferentially of the rollers. These forming portions are shown as being formed on the circumference of the rollers and as extending fully halfway around the same; and they are arranged to cooperate in forming therebetween the article 54, which, for the purpose of illustration, is shown in the shape of a bullet herein, and therefore these forming portions are partly dished in their direction longitudinally of the rollers. Depressed or reduced portions 55, 56 and 51 are furthermore provided on the exteriors of said rollers, beside said forming portions 5|, 52 and 53, respectively, thus enabling the article to drop from the rollers, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6.

It should be observed that such forming portions and reduced portions on the forming members are in each case shaped and arranged to suit the particular shape and kind of article that is to be made with the particular forgingmachine and that the herein illustrated shapes of said portions are arranged to suit the shape of this article 54, which has been shown in the shape of a bullet herein, merely as an example.

In forming such article 54, if pointed like this bullet, and as best shown in Fig. 5, one of these rollers, herein the roller 3|, is provided with an enlarged cam portion or finishing cam 58 at its end of forming portion 5|, which moves fully across the center line or axis of the article While shaping the same. This cam has room to move in the properly reduced portions 56 and 51 provided on the other rollers, for effecting its end forming functions on the article.

As best shown in Figs. 4 and l0, the rollers in this machine, besides containing said main article-forming portions thereon, are also provided with preforming means for primarily shaping a part of the article. Such preforming means herein comprises cam portions 6|, 62 and 63, provided on the rollers 3|, 32 and 33, respectively, and being positioned to be reached by the rod before it reaches the main cam portions 5|, 52 and 53, as illustrated; and like said main portions these preforming portions extend partways around the circumference of the roller;

While reduced portions 65, 66 and 61 are also provided on the exteriors of the rollers, beside said cam portions, as illustrated. Such preforming means is useful herein for primarily or partly shaping the nose or point part of the bullet, which is being made by this machine.

Means is provided for severing the article from the rodor body of material, and in this illustrated machine said means comprises an enlarged cam or cutter 68 which is provided on one of the rollers, being herein arranged as an enlarged part of the cam portion 6| on the roller 3|, as

best shown in Fig. 10. This cutter has ample' room to move and function in the reduced portions 66 and 61 on the other rollers, and it cuts thru the center line or axis of the article.

This construction and arrangement as above described is effective for properly forming the articles which it is contemplated to manufacture with this machine, by means of the pressure applied to such articles by the sturdy rollers coacting and rolling thereon; Whether such article be in the form of a bullet or a bearing or a roller,

or the like, and whether such article is provided with one or more pointed end portions or not. However, when a finished smooth and pointed end is desired on the article, as for instance on a hard steel bullet, then this machine is furthermore provided with die means to cooperate with said main forming portions on the rollers, as have been described above; and in the illustrated form of this invention such die means comprises a die block or finishing member 1| provided with a groove or notch 12 in its end, said notch being shaped in accordance with the shape of point desired on the article, being shown dished or cupped herein for nishing the oval shaped and pointed nose on the bullet. This die block has a stem 13 extending therefrom which is adapted to fit between these rollers 3| 32 and 33, and this stem has a head 14 on its end which includes three prongs 15 to fit in grooves 16 provided in the rollers, as best shown in Fig. 4. Said stem with the head and the die block thereon are preferably formed integral; and this die means is thus supported by the rollers and retained in its operative position thereby, so as to cooperate between the rollers, as best seen in Fig. 4, lfor steadying and guiding the rod or bar of material' in its travel to the forming members.

The rod or bar of materialis herein advanced to the forming4 members .by an intermittent or a step-by-step movement, which may be accomplished in any approved manner; and, as shown inA Fig. 13, I have provided a rod or material feeding device 18 which includes a chuck or member 19 for engaging the rod or material andr feeding it to the machine with. an intermittent movement, such device being driven inV any suitable way. v

Whenever very hard articles are to be shaped from fhard material, with my machine, then it maybecome advantageous to preheat the rod or body of material; and such a heating device is shown in Fig. 13, in the form of a heating oven 8| wherethru the rod passes and wherein it is subjected to heat, as by means of burners r82 on a fuel-supplying conduit 33, being positioned beneath the rod.

In Fig. 14 thisy invention is shown applied to a modified form of machine, being arranged and applied for forming a plurality of the articles with each cycle of operation of the machine; that is, by each rotation of the rollers contained in this illustrated form of machine. This form, like the above described form, comprises the frame I5' including supporting legs I6', and

upwardly extending shoulders 1', I8' and I9 with caps 2|', 22. and 23 secured thereon; while bearing parts 24' and 25', and bearing parts Z and 21', are mounted between said shoulder I8' and its cap 22', and between said shoulder I9' and its cap 23', respectively. A drive gear 28' is also provided with a short shaftjournaled in a bushing 30' mounted between the shoulder and its cap 2|', like in the preceding form.

The rotary forming members are also in the form of rollers 3|', 32 and 33', and are likewise journaled in said bearing parts 24', 25', 26' and 21'. Each roller also has at one end a head 34' and a neck 35 which is engaged by a shim 3B' secured to the machine and retaining the rollers in the bearings; while each roller also has gear means or teeth 31' on'its other end being in mesh with internal gear means provided in a collar 39' xed on the drive gear 28', whereby to rotate these rollers like in the above described form.

These rotary members 3|', 32 and 33' in this form of machine are arranged for forming a plurality of such articles by each rotation of the rollers, and they are therefore provided with a plurality of forming portions on their exterior and extend cam-shaped around their circumference. Such plural set of forming portions are indicated by the portions 5| and 5|" being successively arranged on the roller 3|', with the corresponding portions on the other rollers similarly arranged, said other rollers being indicated somewhat diagrammatically in Fig. 14.

Preliminary or preforming portions are also provided on these rollers, and they are preferably arranged in a series to form the article by progressive steps, such preforming portionsbeing then of progressively increasing size for gradually forming the article, as indicated in Fig. 14 by the preforming portions 6| 6|", and 6|"; while the corresponding preforming portions on the other rollers herein are similarly arranged.

For the purpose of providing a finished and pointed end on the article, as for example in makingr steel bullets 54', as indicated in. Fig.` 14, this machine is also providedxwith die means including the die block 'H' with itsdished notch in oneend and a stem 13 extending from the block andhaving a forkedfhead 14' held in place between the rollers, as by groove means provided in the rollers and receiving said forked head, similarly.` as described above.

Such a machine, in either of vits forms, thus provides la novel and improved-means for speedily producing the desired articles.

' 1. A rotary forging machine for makingbullets and similarly shaped pointed articles, said machine. comprising a plurality of coacting rotary members having similarly shaped 'cooperating forming means thereonand beingmounted and driven for forming the article by rotatingthereon, and diemeansmounted between and to cooperate with said members for forming a pointed end on the article.

2.,A vrotary forging machine for making bullets and similarly shapedv pointed articles, said machine comprising three. adjoining rollers hav ing cooperating formingy means thereon for shaping the article therebetween, means rotatably mounting the rollers, and a die mounted between and held in place by said rollers and coacting therewith for forming a finished and pointed nose on the article.

3. A rotary forging machine for making bullets and similarly shaped pointed articles, said machine comprising rollers rotatably mounted and provided with cooperating forming means on their exterior for forming the article by rolling thereon, and a die carried by and positioned to cooperate with the rollers and being exchangeable, to enable shaping a particular form of point desiredon the article.

4. A rotary forging machine for making bullets and similarly shaped pointed articles, said machine comprising three adjoining cooperating rollers and means for rotatably mounting and driving them in unison, means for guiding the materialin the shape of a rod between the rollers, and a'plurality of sets of cooperating forming means provided on the eXteriors of the rollers, including a set for preforming the nose on the article and a set arranged vand provided with detachable die means for completing the forming of the article and producing a sharp pointed nose thereon.

5. The subject matter set forth in claim 4, wherein the rollers are provided with means for cutting the article from the rod, and also include reduced portions to enable the nished article to drop from the rollers.

6. The subject matter set forth in claim 4, wherein said forming means comprises cam means extending partly around the rollers and the die means is exchangeably supported by the rollers and cooperates therewith for producing a finished sharp nose.

7. A rotary forging machine, for making bullets and similarly shaped articles, said machine comprising similarly shaped rollers and means for rotatably and interchangeably mounting them in the machine, cooperating means provided on the exteriors of the rollers to form the article by rolling on it, means for guiding the material in the shape of a rod between the rollers, a die'cooperating with said forming means for producing a nished end on the article, means for cutting the finished article from the rod, and reduced portions on the rollers arranged and positioned to have the nished article drop therefrom by force of gravity.

8. A rotary forging machine for forming bullets and similarly pointed articles, said machine comprising three similarly shaped and rotatably mounted cooperating rollers, a plurality of sets of cooperating forming means provided on the exteriors of the rollers for rolling upon the article and forming it therebetween, including a set for preforming the nose part on the article and a set to complete the forming operation, means for cutting the article from the material which is fed thereto in the shape of a rod, and means for feedingl the rod of material to the rollers with a step-by-step movement and holding the rod in place.

9. A rotary forging machine for making rounded pointed articles, said machine comprising a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted and provided with similarly shaped coacting forming means on their exterior for forming the article therebetween by rolling thereon, and die means carried by and cooperating with said rollers for forming a finished pointed end on the article.

10. A rotary forging machine for making bullets and similarly shaped articles, said machine comprising three similar and adjoiningly positionea rollers, all three including similarly shaped cooperating forming cams thereon for rolling upon the article and forming it therebetween. said cams including a set of cams for preforming the nose part on the article and a set for completing the forming operation, means for rotatably supporting the cammed rollers and means for driving them in unison, means for guiding the material in the shape of a rod between said rollers and for feeding it thereto with a stepby-step movement, a die exchangeably carried between said rollers and cooperating with said forming cams for producing a nshed nose on the article, means for cutting the shaped article from the rod, and reduced portions on the rollers and their cams, arranged and positioned so that the finished article will drop from the rollers by the force of gravity.

THOMAS E. BROWN. 

